I have been involved for many years, in recreating periods or eras of history from Prehistoric, Celtic iron age, Roman, Saxon, Viking and mediaeval. However my approach to such living history has always been the same.

I try it for myself and then supplement that knowledge with the best available knowledge and latest research of others.

What that means in practice, is that when I discuss the problems faced by peoples of the past and the solutions they found I will be able to support my argument with personal experience.

Often the “facts” printed in history books do not, regrettably, meet
this test, having sometimes been borrowed from outdated sources.

Living history gives us a great opportunity to test new theories and research. Interestingly, as is often the case, the truth has proved to be far more fascinating than even the most imaginative of writings.

In reconstructing the past, one very important thing I try to do is enthuse my “audience” (for want of a better word) with the interest
that I myself have developed for the crafts, skills and knowledge of our forbears.

Our ancestors may have lived simpler lives but they were far from stupid and that is one of many things that I hope to demonstrate.